Law and Order situation

Most people unhappy with Law and Order situation

Some 45.17 per cent people surveyed are not happy with the present law and order situation while 25.55 per cent mentioned it as unbearable.

It was revealed in a survey conducted by Society of Justice (SOJ) among 321 respondents selected randomly covering major districts of the country in October-November, 2005. Only 29 per cent people said they are happy with the law and order to some extent.

AKM Saifullah of Bangladesh Institute of Law & International Affairs (BILIA) disclosed the findings of survey in an international seminar on 'Rule of Law and Human Rights' held Tuesday in the BILIA auditorium.

The seminar was presided over by SOJ President Prof. Mizanur Rahman while former chief adviser of caretaker government Justice Habibur Rahman was present as the chief guest.

Deputy High Commissioner of Australian High Commission Richard Rodgers, Third Secretary of European Commission , Dhaka Ms. Jenny and Programme officer, ICCO-The Netherlands Nellie van der Pasch addressed the seminar as special guests.

Justice Murray Kellam, Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia presented a paper on 'Human Rights Protection-the Rule of Law'.

In his presentation Murray discussed the rule of law compared with the rule by law, separation of powers, independence of judiciary and dwelt on UN General Assembly Resolution on Independence of the Judiciary, 1985.

Murray said separation of powers must be guaranteed constitutionally and sufficient resources must be provided to the courts to ensure that they are truly independent.

It was disclosed in the seminar that 69.47 per cent respondents have seen the reason for deterioration of law and order in the country as a political one.

It has also came out from the survey that 90.97 per cent respondents think that rule of law is a prerequisite for having a good society while 73.21 per cent respondents have considered that responsible persons are not playing their due role in establishing the rule of law.

Justice Habibur Rahman said enacting new laws are important but it alone is not a sufficient condition to solve the problem experienced by the society.

The aim should be the best use of available laws, which 'we have failed', he added.Ms. Neille said the young people are always the hope of the nation as they proved during the Liberation War. She expressed the hope that the young generation would solve the prevailing problems of the country.

Ms. Jenny said the European Commission always encouraged democratic practices and enforcement of human rights in the country and will continue to do so.

The speakers have raised questions about the delay in judicial process, recruitment of judges and magistrates and asked all concerned to raise their voice against 'lawlessness' in the country.